Gilas Pilipinas drops 2nd straight game, 90-80, to hot-shooting Estonia

The Philippine national basketball team lost its second straight assignment in Estonia, 90-80, to the host nation on Friday (early Saturday PHL time).

Estonia got the jump on Gilas Pilipinas early, ending the first quarter up 33-18.

The taller European side then leaned on its hot shooting from all five positions to keep the Philippines at bay for most of the game.

Gilas had one final run, coming to within nine points, 86-77, with a little more than two minutes remaining in the game, on a three-pointer from Terrence Romeo.

But that was the closest the Philippines could come as it suffered its second defeat in the three-day, four-nation pocket tournament, the team's first under new coach Tab Baldwin.

Still, it was a better showing for Gilas compared to the 89-62 drubbing it received at the hands of the Netherlands in its first game.

The Philippines will close out its campaign on Saturday against Iceland before flying back home.

The tournament is the first step of Gilas' buildup for next month's FIBA Asia Championship next month, which serves as the qualifier for the 2016 Olympic basketball tournament. - JST, GMA News